Kick is slated for 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+
by elevencomms
Kick is slated for 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+
#OAKvIND Preview
Oakland Roots SC vs Indy Eleven
Saturday, March 9, 2023 – 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
Pioneer Stadium – Hayward, Calif.
Follow Live
Streaming Video: ESPN+
In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive
Stats: #OAKvIND MatchCenter at USL Championship.com
2024 USL Championship Records
Oakland Roots SC: 0-0-0 (0)
Indy Eleven: 0-0-0 (0)
Community Health Network Sports Medicine Indy Eleven Injury Report
OUT: D. Barbir (lower leg), A. Quinn (knee), M. King (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: None
SETTING THE SCENE
The Boys in Blue open the 2024 USL Championship season Saturday at Oakland Roots SC in a 10 p.m. ET kickoff. Indy is 0-1-0 all-time vs Oakland, with the lone meeting a 3-0 decision in Indianapolis on April 8, 2023.
The Boys in Blue finished the 2023 season 13-11-10 and sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings, returning to the playoffs for the first time since the 2019 season. Indy posted a franchise-best eight road wins during the campaign. Oakland finished the year 11-14-9 missing out on a playoff spot at 10th in the Western Conference.
SERIES VS. OAKLAND
Saturday marks only the second all-time meeting between Indy Eleven and Oakland Roots SC, with Oakland holding the 1-0-0 advantage.
Indy Trails 0-1-0 | GF 0, GA 3
Recent Meetings
4.8.23 | Home | L, 3-0
INDY IN SEASON OPENERS
The Boys in Blue are 3-2-1 in season openers since joining the USL Championship ahead of the 2018 season, with all matches coming on the road.
PRESEASON RECAP
The Boys in Blue capped off the 2024 preseason unbeaten, finishing with a 5-0-1 record with multiple statement wins. Indy started with a 0-0 draw at Pittsburgh, then hosted Chicago Fire II in a 2-0 win. Next Indiana Wesleyan University was in town and the Boys in Blue dominated winning 5-0, next they hosted Columbus Crew 2, winning 7-1. On the road to Lexington SC Indy left victorious winning 1-0. Finally, the preseason ended at home vs Detroit City where the Boys in Blue emerged on top 3-1.
Indy was firing on all cylinders with an overall goal differential of +16. Leading the way in scoring was midfielder Jack Blake with seven goals in the preseason including a first half hattrick against Columbus Crew 2. Midfielder Cam Lindley led the team in assists tallying four. All the keepers were sharp recording four total shutouts in six matches.
THE [NEW] GAFFER
2024 is Indy’s first season under head coach Sean McAuley, who previously served as interim head coach/assistant at MLS-side Minnesota United FC. McAuley helped Minnesota to playoff appearances in each of his first three seasons, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2020. In 2015, he hoisted the MLS Cup with Portland Timbers. McAuley opened his playing career with Manchester United and played for Portland Timbers and the U-21 Scottish National Team, among others.
TOP-10 TEAMMATES
Sebastian Guenzatti (7th, 70) and Augi Williams (10th, 66) serve as the only pair of active teammates in the USL Championship’s top 10 for all-time regular season goals.
ALL-LEAGUE TALENT
This season’s squad features 2023 All-USL Championship selections DF Adrian Diz Pe and MF Cam Lindley.
Diz Pe earned four team of the week selections during the 2023 playing in 31 total matches, making 29 starts, finishing in in the league’s top 15 in four statistical categories including clearances, aerial duels won, duels won and interceptions. His three goals tied for the sixth most by a defender in the league.
The accolade was the second consecutive for Lindley, who started all 34 matches played in 2023 and led Indy in assists, passes and chances created, with six of his last eight assists coming in the final six regular season matches.
ROAD WARRIORS
The Eleven finished the 2023 regular season 8-5-4 on the road, giving them their most regular season wins away from home in the club’s USLC history (previously 6 in 2019). Indy outscored its opponents 27-21 on the road with eight multi-goal performances and four of 3+ (3 at ELP, PIT, SA; 4 at CHS).
Originally posted on indyeleven.com